Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen Blog Editor

The blog is edited by Allen & Allen personal injury attorney Christopher Guedri. His expansive trial experience includes hundreds of bench and jury trials. Chris dedicates his law practice to helping clients and making his community a safer place.

Aug

24

2016

Balcony collapses are extremely dangerous, often resulting in serious injuries and even death.[1] Sadly, most of these tragic accidents can be avoided by adhering to building codes and inspecting buildings in a timely manner. Building inspections are designed to catch flaws in current designs and require updates to structures when they become a safety hazard.[2]

The International Code Council (ICC) is responsible for publishing minimum safety requirements for buildings such as homes, schools, and workplace buildings.[3] The ICC also publishes minimum safety requirements for structures like decks and balconies.[4]

Aug

10

2016

In the modern sports world, there is no issue more prevalent and concerning than the nature and frequency of concussions. Our increasing understanding of the dangers associated with head trauma, particularly repeated head trauma, has sparked changed policies and practices from the National Football League to neighborhood soccer leagues. However, concussions remain a serious problem for athletes everywhere.

Concussions are particularly dangerous injuries for a number of reasons. First, they are subtle. Often an athlete who suffers a concussion will appear to recover quickly and be eager to return to the game. However, they may have a slowly developing injury…

Jul

27

2016

Many people have been guilty of speeding up to get through a “yellow light.” However, the dangers are not worth the risk. Between 2004 and 2013, an estimated 7,799 people lost their lives running red lights or “trying to beat the light.” In 2013 alone, more than 697 people were killed and an estimated 127,000 were injured in similar crashes. Such risks are even higher in urban areas, where stop-light-related crashes are more common than any other type. Even though the general risk created by running stop lights may be obvious, 36% of drivers continue to run lights even though 73% of drivers acknowledge that “running red lights is unacceptable.”[1] In 2014, it is…

Jul

13

2016

Parallel parking can be difficult and stressful for many drivers. In 2006, parking assist systems were first introduced in cars to help alleviate the stress of parallel parking.[1] Parking assist systems use sensors and cameras to back the vehicle into the parking spot.[2] Recently, this technology has become more advanced, more affordable, and is now being offered on more vehicles.[3]

Studies show that parking assist systems are effective. A study done by the American Automobile Association (AAA) found the following:[4]

Jun

29

2016

Fireworks are a popular Fourth of July activity. However, fireworks can be dangerous. Accidents, burns, and even wildfires are all risks of using fireworks. In addition to these dangers, many kinds of fireworks are illegal. Users should be aware of local laws, and apply common sense to stay safe when firing fireworks.

Accidents and Burns

Fireworks cause many accidents and injuries every year. On average, 240 people visit the emergency room daily in the days around the Fourth of July. In 2013, 40% of all firework injuries involved children younger than 14.

Sparklers may seem harmless enough for children because they do not explode or make loud noises,…

Jun

08

2016

Placing a child in day care is a necessary option for many working parents in Virginia. These parents expect that their child will receive the proper attention and care they require while being kept in a safe environment. However, there are a number of risks and safety concerns involved with this practice that parents should consider.

One of the biggest threats to a child’s safety while in a care center is the lack of proper attention, usually due to the supervisor trying to watch over too many children at once. In some cases, children have died while being watched with as few as eight other children. Perhaps the most worrisome part of all is that the parents…

May

25

2016

Most of us hardly ever think about the convenience and safety our tires provide us, yet we rely on them day after day. They are the only part of our car that actually comes into direct contact with the road. They travel thousands of miles, rotate millions of times, and their failure can immediately put a driver in a deadly situation. Proper tire care, maintenance, and replacement are all essential parts of being a safe driver.

You should perform a visual inspection of your tires at least once a month, more often if you drive on poor roads, drive long distances, or live in a cold climate. There are a number of specific issues to look out for during a visual…

May

11

2016

Burns are some of the most painful and serious injuries that can be sustained. Every year roughly half a million people receive medical care for burns, with more than 40,000 being admitted to the hospital as a result of their injuries. A severe burn is very dangerous because in addition to the intense pain and long recovery time, burns are extremely prone to infections and offer diseases a quick and easy route into the body.[1]

Ways to prevent burn injuries

Children have a higher risk for dangerous burns due to their small size and lack of knowledge about what household items may prove dangerous. There are basic steps you can take to protect your children…

Apr

27

2016

A study by the American Automobile Association recently revealed that most automobile headlamps are inadequate on low-beam setting for drivers to safely react to obstacles in the roadway. According to AAA’s research, it takes approximately 500 feet for a vehicle traveling 55 miles per hour to identify, react to, and safely stop before encountering an obstacle.[1] However, halogen headlamps, installed in about 80% of U.S. automobiles, only illuminate up to around 300 feet in front of each vehicle while on the low-beam setting. Both high-intensity discharge and light-emitting diode lights come closer to the 500-foot mark, but they still fall short.[2]

Apr

13

2016

Many organizations across the country are striving to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. In the United States, nine people are killed and more than 1,100 are injured each day in crashes that involve distracted drivers.[1]

What is “distracted driving?” Distracted driving is any activity that can divert attention away from the primary task of driving, including but not limited to: texting, using a cellphone or smartphone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading, using a navigation system, watching a video, and adjusting the radio.[2] These activities are dangerous because they involve one or more types of distraction: